6:28 a.m. It is still night when the Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) of Trenitalia stirs on the platforms of Gare de Lyon.
9281, is the train number that leaves Paris each morning for its terminus – the central station of Milan – after stops at Lyon Part-Dieu, Chambéry, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Modane, Oulx and Turin.
With two daily round trips, the Italian company Trenitalia opened, in December 2021, the field of competition in France on the high-speed lines (LGV), against SNCF.
After nineteen months of interruption due to a landslide in Maurienne in the summer of 2023, rail traffic between France and Italy resumed just a year ago. Since then, Trenitalia’s experiment has continued successfully.
It is true that the Paris-Milan service in the “Frecciarossa” offers, as the company willingly notes, “optimal connectivity for travelers while facilitating privileged access to mountain regions”.
It is also, Trenitalia insists, “the only service to connect Lyon directly to Italy without a transfer”. However, on this mid-March morning of 2026, what truly mattered to us was to settle in quickly to sleep a little longer.
Fortunately, the Car 1 – dedicated to the Executive Class in which we are traveling – was located very close to the departure platform. After climbing aboard, placing our suitcase in the dedicated space, we were greeted by a smiling onboard attendant who spoke perfect French.
Immediately, she helped us settle into one of the ten luxurious champagne-colored leather seats with a leg rest, after rotating our seat 180° (electric control) to face the direction of travel. Thus, we would travel even more comfortably as these seats, 74 cm wide, are spaced one and a half meters apart.
Cradled comfortably in our seat, slightly reclined, we quickly drifted back into Morpheus’ arms. After, nevertheless, placing our bag on the overhead bag rack below the armrest, at the level of the individual power outlet to charge our phone.
9281, is the train number that leaves Paris each morning for its terminus – the central station of Milan – after stops at Lyon Part-Dieu, Chambéry, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Modane, Oulx and Turin.
With two daily round trips, the Italian company Trenitalia opened, in December 2021, the field of competition in France on the high-speed lines (LGV), against SNCF.
After nineteen months of interruption due to a landslide in Maurienne in the summer of 2023, rail traffic between France and Italy resumed just a year ago. Since then, Trenitalia’s experiment has continued successfully.
It is true that the Paris-Milan service in the “Frecciarossa” offers, as the company willingly notes, “optimal connectivity for travelers while facilitating privileged access to mountain regions”.
It is also, Trenitalia insists, “the only service to connect Lyon directly to Italy without a transfer”. However, on this mid-March morning of 2026, what truly mattered to us was to settle in quickly to sleep a little longer.
Fortunately, the Car 1 – dedicated to the Executive Class in which we are traveling – was located very close to the departure platform. After climbing aboard, placing our suitcase in the dedicated space, we were greeted by a smiling onboard attendant who spoke perfect French.
Immediately, she helped us settle into one of the ten luxurious champagne-colored leather seats with a leg rest, after rotating our seat 180° (electric control) to face the direction of travel. Thus, we would travel even more comfortably as these seats, 74 cm wide, are spaced one and a half meters apart.
Cradled comfortably in our seat, slightly reclined, we quickly drifted back into Morpheus’ arms. After, nevertheless, placing our bag on the overhead bag rack below the armrest, at the level of the individual power outlet to charge our phone.
Breakfast at the seat and a business meeting
When we reopen our eyes, Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa strides vigorously through the still pale landscapes of Burgundy. The carriage is silent: the impeccably dressed young woman seated opposite me still dozes. The businesspeople seated at the far end of the car, too.
The urge for a coffee arises. Then, the flight attendant promptly asks for our breakfast: croissant? yogurt? ham? fruit salad? It’s your choice and unlimited.
For now, a double espresso and a croissant suffice. As soon as the fold-down table integrated into the lateral armrest is extended and a napkin laid, coffee and croissant are brought by the onboard attendant.
Paris. Two hours have slipped by since our departure. We drift back to sleep a little, but near Chambéry the wagon comes alive.
Two businessmen seated behind me begin talking rather loudly, the young woman opposite me converses with the flight attendant in a Slavic language—Russian, perhaps?—orders her breakfast, then, in her language, and at very high volume, undertakes a phone call that seems endless.
In the small rear compartment of the car reserved for business meetings, two of my neighbors settle in. Their exchanges will be brief. Then, this room equipped with a table, a flats-screen that can connect, and five seats (it is privatizable provided you buy a dedicated ticket) will remain empty for the rest of the journey.
Car 1 stays a busy hive as the train threads through narrow valleys, surrounded by towering, snow-covered peaks. That said, one can still enjoy the panorama and read a bit thanks to the two LED spotlights positioned on either side of the headrest of my seat.
The urge for a coffee arises. Then, the flight attendant promptly asks for our breakfast: croissant? yogurt? ham? fruit salad? It’s your choice and unlimited.
For now, a double espresso and a croissant suffice. As soon as the fold-down table integrated into the lateral armrest is extended and a napkin laid, coffee and croissant are brought by the onboard attendant.
Paris. Two hours have slipped by since our departure. We drift back to sleep a little, but near Chambéry the wagon comes alive.
Two businessmen seated behind me begin talking rather loudly, the young woman opposite me converses with the flight attendant in a Slavic language—Russian, perhaps?—orders her breakfast, then, in her language, and at very high volume, undertakes a phone call that seems endless.
In the small rear compartment of the car reserved for business meetings, two of my neighbors settle in. Their exchanges will be brief. Then, this room equipped with a table, a flats-screen that can connect, and five seats (it is privatizable provided you buy a dedicated ticket) will remain empty for the rest of the journey.
Car 1 stays a busy hive as the train threads through narrow valleys, surrounded by towering, snow-covered peaks. That said, one can still enjoy the panorama and read a bit thanks to the two LED spotlights positioned on either side of the headrest of my seat.
All-you-can-eat lunch
As noon approaches, the calm returns. One begins to feel that Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa is delivering on its promises.
Certainly, it is not a symbol of extravagance. Yet, for travelers who value space, quiet, and service, the “Executive” class offers a truly refined travel experience.
Soon, the onboard attendant re-deploys the foldable table and covers it with a napkin before presenting us the menu (renovated every month). It is only a matter of choosing from dishes signed by the star chef, Carlo Cracco, a renowned figure in Italian cuisine recognized by the Michelin Guide.
This partnership, which began in 2013, reflects Trenitalia’s “commitment to offering a culinary experience that blends refinement and Italian authenticity.”
Alongside a selection of club sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie boards, etc., the day’s menu offers as a starter either asparagus cream with its tips or a Mozzarella di bufala. And as a main, chicken with yogurt and turmeric or fillet of sea bass with herbs and fennel.
Our choice is quickly made: mozzarella and sea bass. Both prove delicious, accompanied by a glass of Sicilian white and followed by a fruit salad and the inevitable espresso.
Certainly, it is not a symbol of extravagance. Yet, for travelers who value space, quiet, and service, the “Executive” class offers a truly refined travel experience.
Soon, the onboard attendant re-deploys the foldable table and covers it with a napkin before presenting us the menu (renovated every month). It is only a matter of choosing from dishes signed by the star chef, Carlo Cracco, a renowned figure in Italian cuisine recognized by the Michelin Guide.
This partnership, which began in 2013, reflects Trenitalia’s “commitment to offering a culinary experience that blends refinement and Italian authenticity.”
Alongside a selection of club sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie boards, etc., the day’s menu offers as a starter either asparagus cream with its tips or a Mozzarella di bufala. And as a main, chicken with yogurt and turmeric or fillet of sea bass with herbs and fennel.
Our choice is quickly made: mozzarella and sea bass. Both prove delicious, accompanied by a glass of Sicilian white and followed by a fruit salad and the inevitable espresso.
Crossing the Alps without constraints
While we were having lunch, the train gradually left the deep valleys behind it, venturing into broader, flatter, and greener landscapes.
After this effortless crossing of the Alps, we were already approaching Turin, a northern Italian city crossed by the Po River.
Upon arriving at Turin’s station, the idea arose of a quick excursion in this city renowned for its museums (Egyptian Museum, Cinema Museum, Automobile Museum, etc.), its palaces, and Porta Palazzo—the largest open-air market in Europe. And also a stay by the major Italian lakes nearby.
For this time, Milan was our destination. An hour later, the 9281 Frecciarossa train stopped at Milano Centrale. Departing from Paris – Gare de Lyon at 6:28, it arrived right on schedule.
Already, a taxi waited for us. Welcome to the Lombard capital, also the fashion and design capital and a very active business city!
After this effortless crossing of the Alps, we were already approaching Turin, a northern Italian city crossed by the Po River.
Upon arriving at Turin’s station, the idea arose of a quick excursion in this city renowned for its museums (Egyptian Museum, Cinema Museum, Automobile Museum, etc.), its palaces, and Porta Palazzo—the largest open-air market in Europe. And also a stay by the major Italian lakes nearby.
For this time, Milan was our destination. An hour later, the 9281 Frecciarossa train stopped at Milano Centrale. Departing from Paris – Gare de Lyon at 6:28, it arrived right on schedule.
Already, a taxi waited for us. Welcome to the Lombard capital, also the fashion and design capital and a very active business city!
An Executive Class well suited to a high-end audience
Concretely, the Executive Class of this direct service that places Milan about seven hours from Paris lets you travel in comfort, without stress or transfers. It is well suited for business professionals as well as a high-end audience that requires comfort and attentive service.
In Executive Class, the catering (breakfast and lunch served at your seat and unlimited) is included in the ticket price. Expect from €305 for a one-way.
For professionals who might need to alter their trip due to a meeting cancellation or delay, the “Serenità Pro” offer allows altering the ticket without any fare adjustment, whatever the reason. The ticket is also refundable up to the scheduled departure time.
Tickets and schedules will be available on trenitalia.fr, via the Trenitalia France app, in-station ticket offices, and on self-service kiosks.
Trenitalia also aims to reach all publics. In Standard class, a Paris-Milan one-way can be found from €35. And from €49 in Business. In both cases, catering is not included in the price.
Moreover, to prepare summer trips while keeping to budget, travelers can pay in up to four installments via Paypal. They can also use Chèques-Vacances Connect, accepted at ticket offices and by phone.
Another boost for purchasing power, in these times made difficult by soaring fuel prices: the referral offer.
It allows you to obtain 10% off for yourself and 10% off for your referred friends or family. The occasion, Trenitalia emphasizes, “to introduce family or friends to a Frecciarossa journey and enjoy a benefit in return.”
In Executive Class, the catering (breakfast and lunch served at your seat and unlimited) is included in the ticket price. Expect from €305 for a one-way.
For professionals who might need to alter their trip due to a meeting cancellation or delay, the “Serenità Pro” offer allows altering the ticket without any fare adjustment, whatever the reason. The ticket is also refundable up to the scheduled departure time.
Tickets and schedules will be available on trenitalia.fr, via the Trenitalia France app, in-station ticket offices, and on self-service kiosks.
Trenitalia also aims to reach all publics. In Standard class, a Paris-Milan one-way can be found from €35. And from €49 in Business. In both cases, catering is not included in the price.
Moreover, to prepare summer trips while keeping to budget, travelers can pay in up to four installments via Paypal. They can also use Chèques-Vacances Connect, accepted at ticket offices and by phone.
Another boost for purchasing power, in these times made difficult by soaring fuel prices: the referral offer.
It allows you to obtain 10% off for yourself and 10% off for your referred friends or family. The occasion, Trenitalia emphasizes, “to introduce family or friends to a Frecciarossa journey and enjoy a benefit in return.”
